Controversial Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts scene sparks backlash

A clip showcasing the new Transformers movie has swiftly been deleted from Twitter following outrage over a controversial scene.

Transformers released a slew of teasers and behind-the-scenes video ahead of the June premiere of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – but then yanked a scene that appeared reminiscent of the September 11 attacks.

The seventh Transformer movie in the multibillion-dollar franchise is set to hit Australian cinemas on June 22, and Transformers shared an extended trailer that included a clip of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre surrounded by billowing black smoke, reports the New York Post.

This scene has sparked backlash.

The scene’s apparent evocation of 9/11 caught many viewers off-guard, and many didn’t believe the image could actually have been affiliated with a Transformers movie.

“This image certainly made me stop scrolling,” wrote Twitter user Daniel Kibblesmith in a post with a screenshot of the Transformers tweet touting the movie’s release with the jarring screenshot from the trailer.

Mr Kibblesmith’s tweet accumulated more than 2.3 million views in less than 24 hours after being posted.

Transformers’ caption read: “It’s about to be epic. Go behind the scenes with our cast and crew, and meet the new characters of Transformers.”

As of Tuesday, Transformers’ controversial post no longer appears to be on its Twitter page.

The nearly two-minute teaser features Anthony Ramos, who stars in Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts as Noah Diaz, an ex-military electronics specialist living in Brooklyn, New York.

“This is about to be epic. This is about to be epically crazy,” Ramos says in the behind-the-scenes video.

The footage then shows a peaceful NYC skyline boasting the Twin Towers before sharply cutting to an clip with the Statue of Liberty in the foreground and the World Trade Centre surrounded by thick smoke in the background.

The movie’s director, Steven Caple Jr, goes on to clarify that the upcoming movie “in chronological order, is the second Transformers movie – it takes place during the ’90s”.

Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts is set in NYC in 1994.

“I didn’t think that it was possible, but here I am, even less interested than ever in seeing a Transformers movie. They’ve done it again, the mad genii,” one Twitter user replied.

“This could have been easily avoided if they’d picked literally any other city besides New York,” another tweeted.

“That is … an unfortunate shot,” yet another said of the upsetting image, while another said it was “too soon”.

The Post contacted Paramount for comment.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Controversial Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts scene sparks backlash